WO2008119143A1

WO2008119143A1 - Load washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008119143A1
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vera Coelho De Aguiar; Ana Paula Teixeira; Rodrigo G. Dias; Paulo José BORTOLIN; Fernando Barbosa Da Silva
Original assignee: Whirpool S.A.
Priority date: 2007-04-02
Filing date: 2008-03-04
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: CL2008000921A1; BRPI0701784A2; AR067259A1; UY30993A1; PE20081866A1

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to reference means for indicating levels of load, inputs and water for use on load washing machines. More particularly, the invention relates to reference indicative means, made uniform and standardized, capable of aiding in defining the recommended dosage of inputs and water level in vertical-axis cloths and/article washing machine. The objective of the present invention is to provide a solution that, in a load (clothes and/or articles) washing process, will facilitate and simplify the determination of the adequate dosage of inputs and water for a certain amount of load placed inside the washing basket of a washing machine. Such a solution is obtained by providing a load washing machine comprising at least one washing basket (1 ) capable of holding a washing load, input container (2) capable of storing and distributing washing inputs and a selection device (3) capable of selecting water level of the washing basket (1 ), the washing basket (1 ), the input container (2) and the selection device (3) being provided with reference indicative means capable of associating the levels of load, inputs and water on a quantitative and proportional scale.

Description

Title: "LOAD WASHING MACHINE"

The present invention relates, in general, to reference means for indicating load levels, inputs and water for use in load washing machines. More particularly, the invention relates to reference indicative means, made uniformed and standardized, capable of aiding in defining the recommended dosage of inputs and water levels in clothes and/or articles washing machines, particularly vertical-axis washing machines. Description of the Prior Art

A process of washing loads (clothes and/or articles) basically comprises here fundamental steps: putting the load inside the internal basket of the washing machine, adjusting the water level and adding inputs (soap, bleaching agent or softener). The steps are related to each other in such a way that the volume occupied by the load placed in the internal basket determines the dosage of inputs and the volume of water required for washing the load properly. Thus, the larger load volume, the larger the dosage of inputs and water volume should be.

The definition of the water volume and of the suitable dosage of inputs to be used in washing the load is a difficulty which the users of washing machines face. Such a difficulty is due to the fact that, in general, one does not know the volume occupied by the load placed in the basket of the washing machine. Usually, the terms "high", "middle" and "low" are employed to define the volume occupied by the load, with a view to help the users in correctly determining the dosage necessary for carrying out the washing process. However, such terms are subjective and may have various interpretations, which are often wrong. For example, the use of an insufficient amount of inputs and/or water impairs the washing efficiency. On the other hand, usingan exaggerated amount of inputs and/or water will means an unnecessary waste.

At present, a few techniques for automatically detecting the amount of clothes placed into the basket and even for dosing inputs into vertical-axis machines are known. However, these techniques are based on the total weight (mass) of the load, not on the volume occupied by the load placed in the basket, a condition that is critical for clothes and/or low-density articles that occupy a large volume in the basket. For instance, a washing machine that indicates a low weight of a determined load placed in the internal washing basket could induce the user to add a small about of inputs and water, which might impair the washing performance if the load had low density (high volume), since some regions of the load would not be totally covered by the inputs and the water.

Generally, these solutions are implemented by means of complex and advances electronic systems, which require a high financial investment and a long time for designing and implementation. So, such solutions are more suitable for use in High-End (more sophisticated models) washing machines, which are more expensive for the consumer.

At present, there are no solutions to help the user in defining the adequate amount of water and inputs for low-cost Low-End (simple and inexpensive models) washing machines. The absence of these solutions is one of the main causes for the inadequate use

Objective of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a solution that, in a one-load (clothes and/or articles) washing process facilitates and simplifies the determination of the adequate dosage of inputs and water level for a given load volume placed inside the washing basket of a washing machine. This solution is intended for application to low-end (inexpensive) products, since it has a low final price to the consumer.

From the point of view of susceptibility, this solution brings about a saving of energy, since by a more adequate selection of the amount of water to be used in the washing, there will be a reduction in the time during which the machine functions and, therefore, a reduction in the energy consumed in a washing cycle.

Additionally, this solution has a functional advantage, since it takes into consideration the volume occupied by the load, not only the total weight (mass) of the load, which might confuse the user with regard to the amount of inputs and water suitable the washing. Thus, it is possible to provide a better washing performance, optimizing consumption and saving water, inputs and energy in a simple manner, with rapid implementation, easy utilization and low cost, which brings about a low price for the consumer. Brief Description of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is achieved by means of a load washing machine comprising at least one washing basket capable of holding a washing load, an input container capable of storing and distributing inputs for the washing and a selection device capable of selecting the water level in the washing basket, the washing basket, the input container and the selection device being provided with reference indicating means capable of associating the levels of load, inputs and water in a quantitative and proportional scale. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 - perspective view of a basket of the vertical-axis load washing machine; Figure 2 - front view of an input container of the vertical-axis load washing machine;

Figure 3 - front view of a water-level selection device of a vertical-axis load washing machine.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred, but not compulsory embodiment employing reference indicating means made uniform and standardized, which indicate the levels of load, inputs and water by means of numerical sequential figures. Instead of numbers, one could employ figures, letters, colors or any other kind of symbols, as long as they could be capable of indicating to the user the water level and the input dosage to be used, depending on the volume of water placed in a washing basket 1 of the washing machine.

Thus, the user is enabled to make a direct association through this standardized numerical reference, which will help him in defining the necessary dosage of inputs and the water level suitable for performing the operation of load washing (clothes and/or articles).

The implementation of these reference indicative means is carried out in a load washing machine comprising at least one washing basket 1 capable of holding the washing load, an input container 2 capable of storing and distributing the inputs for washing and a selection device 3 capable of selecting the water level for washing.

Said reference indicative means are associated to the washing basket 1 , to the input container 2 and to the selection device 3, and arranged in portions of easy viewing for identification by the user.

Washing basket

In figure 1 , one can observe washing basket 1of a vertical-axis washing machine, wherein the inner wall 9 is provided with a load-level indicator 4, the function if which is to give the user an idea of the load volume present in the washing basket 1 by means of easy-to-view indicators to be identified.

The load-level indicator 4 has a substantially rectangular shape and is positioned in such a way that its vertical extent will comprise about the distance between a first end 7 and a second end 8 of the washing basket 1.

In this case, the first end 7 corresponds to the circumference of the basket 1 bottom, and the second end 8 corresponds to the circumference of the basket 1 top. The straight line joining the center of the circumferences of the first end 7 and the second end 8 corresponds to the central vertical axis of the washing machine. The horizontal extend of the load-level indicator 4 comprises about the distance between two sequential segment 10 arranged on the inner wall 9 of the washing basket 1.

The load-level indicator 4 is divided into juxtaposed, parallel, substantially rectangular segments (portions). The pairs of adjacent or neighboring segments are equidistant. Preferably, one adopts a total of four segments. For each segment, one associates a numerical indication. The numerical indications are sequential and growing from the first end 7 to the second end 8, the first number being the figure "1" and the last number being the figure "4. Therefore, the greater the figure the higher the load level will be.

The increments in the load level indicated by the segments are equivalent to each other, that is to say, the increment in the load level indicated by the segment "1" is equal to the increment in the level indicated by the segment "2", "3" or "4". In this way, one can conclude that the level relationship between these segments is linear. However, one may use a nonlinear relationship, depending on the application. For instance, one can implement a solution in which the increment in the load level indicated by the segment "1" will be greater than the increment in load level indicated by the segment "2", resulting in a non-linear level relationship. In this situation, the adjacent segments would not be equivalent. Input Container In figure 2, one can observe the front panel (cover) of an input container 2 provided with an input-level indicator 5. Such inputs may be washing powder, softener or even a bleaching agent, which are adequately distributed and then consumed by the washing machine.

The user will put a determined amount of inputs in the internal compartment of the input container 2 according to the load level reached (load volume occupied) in the washing basket 1. Thus, the function of the input-level indicator 5 is to inform the user about the recommended amount of inputs that should be placed in the input container 2 depending on the load level reached in the washing basket 1 , so that an efficient washing will be provided without there being waste of inputs.

The input-level indicator 5 has a substantially trapezoidal shape and is positioned in such a manner that its vertical extent will comprise approximately the distance between a third end 11 and a fourth end 12 of the front panel of the input container 2. In this case, the third end 11 corresponds to the smaller base of the trapeze and the fourth end 12 corresponds to the larger base of the trapeze.

The reference used in the input-level indicator 5 should be the same one used in the load-level indicator 4, so that the uniformity and standardization will be maintained and, as a result, the association by the user will be possible. Since in this preferred embodiment one has used a sequential numerical reference of "1" to "4", presenting a linear relationship, the latter is also adopted in the input-level indicator 5. In this way, if the user has put the load into the washing basket 1 as high as level "2", it is recommended to place an amount of inputs high as level "2" as well.

Additionally, an auxiliary reference means was included, associated to the numerical reference. Such a reference is represented by figure that illustrates the simplified manner in which the washing basket 1 and the amount (level) of load placed therein. As the numerical reference advances, the amount of load illustrated by the figure increases, thereby enabling one to view and associate immediately the numerical reference as a function of the amount of load placed in the washing basket 1. In this way, the scales used by the load-level indicator 4 and by the input-level indicator 5 are proportional.

The input-level indicator 5 is divided into parallel and equidistant segments (portions). A numerical indication is associated to each segment. The numerical indications are sequential and grow from the third end 11 to the fourth end 12, the first number is the figure "1" and the last number is the figure "4". The greater the figure the greater the input dosage will be. Selection device

In figure 3, one can observe the water-level selection device 3, provided with a water-level indicator 6, the function of which is to inform the user about the recommended water level according to the load level reached in the washing basket 1. After selecting the water level by means of the selection device 3, the washing machine permits the entry of water corresponding to the level adjusted by the user. In this way, an efficient washing is brought about, without waste of water. The selection device 3 is represented by a knob or potentiometer of substantially circular shape, which moves angularly about a central axis upon application of an external force. One may use other configurations, as for example, switches or buttons, as long as selection of parameters is possible.

The water-level indicator 6 is substantially semicircular in shape, arranged so as to surround the circumference of the selection device 3, its extent comprising the distance between a fifth end 13 and a sixth end 14.

The knob can be angularly moved by the user only in the extent comprised by the water-level indicator 6.

The reference used by the water-level indicator 6 should be the same one used on the load-level indicator 4 and on the input-level indicator 5, so that the uniformity and standardization can be maintained and thus the association by the user will be possible. Since in this preferred embodiment one has employed a sequential numerical reference from "1" to "4" presenting a linear relationship, the latter will also be adopted on the water- level indicator 6. In this way, if the user has put a load in the washing basket 1 as high as level "2", it is recommended to adjust the water level to position "2" as well.

Thus, just as with the input-level indicator 5, the same auxiliary reference was included, in association with the numerical reference. The scales used by the load-level indicator 4 and by the water-level indicator 6 are proportional.

The water-level indicator 6 is divided into equidistant segments (portions). For each segment, a numerical indication is associated. The numerical indications are sequential and grow from the fifth end 13 to the sixth end 14, the firth number being the figure "1" and the last number being the figure "4". Thus, the knob can be angularly moved from the fifth end 13 to the sixth end 14.

A preferred embodiment having been described, one should understand that the scope of the present invention embraces other possible variations, being limited only by the contents of the accompanying claims, which include the possible equivalents.

Claims

1. A load washing machine comprising at least:

- a washing basket (1 ) capable of holding a wash load;

- an input container (2) capable of storing and distributing washing inputs; e

- a selection device (3) capable of selecting the water level in the washing basket (1 ); characterized in that the washing basket (1), the input container (2) and the selection device (3) are provided with reference indicative means capable of associating the levels of water, inputs and water on a quantitative and proportional scale.

2. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that said reference indicative means comprise at least:

- a load-level indicator (4) associated to the washing basket (1 ); - an input-level indicator (5) associated to the input container (2); and

- a water-level indicator (6) associated to the selection device;

3. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that said reference indicative means comprise symbols.

4. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that said reference indicative means comprise numbers.

5. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that said reference indicative means comprise letters.

6. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that the reference indicative means comprise figures.

7. A load washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that said reference indicative means comprise colors.